VIC7063 - Victorian Literature: Texts and Contexts

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the work of a selected author or defined group of authors
Use a range of high-level critical and theoretical approaches and scholarly resources to analyse the selected texts
Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the literary works chosen for study, including critical awareness of influences from, and impacts on, the Victorian world
Report research findings clearly and with accurate reference to relevant evidence.

Content:

Victorian Literature aims to help you gain a deeper critical appreciation of Victorian literature by exploring the works of a particular author or group of authors. You will hone your skills in critical analysis and close textual reading, and will also learn to place selected works within the social, cultural and literary contexts of the Victorian age. The module will pay particular attention to the social conditions in which the authors worked, and the impact of those conditions on their writing. It will also consider how particular social, political or intellectual preoccupations of the Victorian age were reflected in their writing, e.g. exploring topics such as gender, sexuality, race, national and religion, as well as considering the subsequent international reception of the authors. You will develop your own interests by researching and writing an extended essay on the selected author(s) on a topic of your own choice.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The seminars will make use of a number of teaching and learning methods, including: short presentations by the tutor, exercises in groups, informal presentations by students, and plenary discussions. Students will be set reading to complete before the session and they will be expected to bring their own reflections to bear on the exercises and discussion. The 20-minute individual tutorial may take different forms as appropriate to the individual student (e.g. face-to-face discussion, e-mail consultations). These tutorials are intended to give students some guidance on their choice of essay question and on researching the topic.

Seminars/Workshops
Hours: 12
Intended Group size: 12

Tutorials
Hours: 2
Intended Group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 286

Further details relating to assessment
Students will produce an essay of 6,000 words on a question that they have devised themselves with guidance from the module tutor.

Assessment:

001 Essay; 6,000 words; end of semester 2 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Professor Jane De Gay
Level - 7
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - CANNOT BE TAKEN WITH VIC7025
Semester(s) Offered - 7PGS1

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